Earlier today Natalie and I departed Richmond for our two day inauguration extravaganza. I didn’t vote for the guy, but there’s no denying that January 20 will mark an historic turning point for the country. I wanted Natalie to be able to tell her kids and grandkids that she was there.
Now I should say that almost everyone I’ve told has said that I’m crazy to bring a four year old to an inauguration that is expected to have 4 million people in attendance. The rest think the same thing, but I have to read it in their eyes.
So far things have worked out. We left Richmond at noon and the GPS said that it would take 1 hr and 45 minutes. I had packed enough kids movies for 3 times that, expecting gridlock the whole way. After about an hour I started wondering when the traffic would start. 15 minutes later I wanted to call Natalie’s mom to say that we still hadn’t hit the traffic, but I was afraid I’d jinx it. Then, 1 hr and 35 minutes after we left I was standing on Natalie’ aunt’s front stoop. No traffic – zip, zero, zilch.
I got here so early that I had no idea what to do with the rest of the day. I ended up going downtown to get a membership to the Newseum. Natalie’s aunt thought that we might be able to get on the balcony for great views of the inauguration and the parade. Even if we can’t get in tomorrow (which is pretty likely), the Newseum is supposed to be one of the coolest museums. Natalie stayed behind to be plied with kids movies and grapes by her aunt.
When I got off the metro I realized why there wasn’t any traffic on the way up – everyone was downtown already. And the Barakaphanalia! Buttons, posters, keychains, mouse pads, hats, earmuffs – all plastered with the face of our next president. Barack is kicking off his presidency with his very own economic stimulus package tied to his own inauguration.
Tonight a quiet night of kid’s movies and more grapes.
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